Updated 5:20 pm, Tuesday, February 14, 2017

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed Tuesday that President Trump asked former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn for his resignation Monday, rather than the letter being offered of Flynn's own volition.

Media: MediaOS Video

WASHINGTON – Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn joined other Republican lawmakers Tuesday in calling for an investigation into the resignation of retired Army Gen. Michael Flynn as President Donald Trump's national security adviser.

Cornyn, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, said he expected the Senate Intelligence Committee to take up the matter, which has led to a firestorm in Congress since allegations surfaced that Flynn discussed sanctions relief with the Russian ambassador to Washington.

"I think there's an orderly process to make sure we get accurate information and we can get the appropriate oversight, and that's what we ought to do," Cornyn told reporters on Capitol Hill.Cornyn's Texas counterpart, Sen. Ted Cruz, called the situation "unfortunate," but stopped short of calling for an investigation.

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Texas U.S. Sen. John Cronyn is calling for an investigation into the resignation of retired Army. Gen. Michael Flynn as President Donald Trump's national security adviser. Fellow Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz called the situation "unfortunate" but has not called for an investigation. less

Texas U.S. Sen. John Cronyn is calling for an investigation into the resignation of retired Army. Gen. Michael Flynn as President Donald Trump's national security adviser. Fellow Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz called ... more

"I think the central concern should be ensuring that we have in place a strong, serious national security team that is prepared and committed to defending this nation," Cruz said. "After eight years of foreign policy weakness, our enemies are emboldened, radical Islamic terrorism is on the rise, and American citizens are vulnerable as we never have been before."

The split reflected larger divisions among Senate Republicans, where some conservatives have called for an investigation into the leaks over Flynn's talks with the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, which were recorded, as is routine, by U.S. intelligence services.

Flynn resigned his position Monday following reports that the Justice Department had warned the Trump administration last month that he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about the nature of his conversations with Kislyak regarding U.S. sanctions imposed by former President Barack Obama.

Some officials have warned that Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail by the Russians for covering up details of their talks, which he initially said he could not remember.

Among other Republicans calling for a Senate probe were Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of the intelligence committee, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

"I think Congress needs to be informed of what actually General Flynn said to the Russian ambassador about lifting sanctions," Graham told CNN's Kate Bolduan on "At This Hour."

"And I want to know," Graham, added, "did General Flynn do this by himself or was he directed by somebody to do it?"

Cornyn said he had not seen the transcripts of the calls, but called the situation a case of "somebody with a distinguished military making a bad mistake."